Tánasite Frances Fitzgerald's work on the new Sexual Offences Bill helps vulnerable people. Thank her!!
Please join One in Four in thanking Frances Fitzgerald, Tánasite, Minister for Justice and Equality, for all her vital work on the Sexual Offences Act by signing this petition.
The Act had provoked strong opposition from some of our male politicians because one of its effects is to criminalise the purchase of sex for the first time. It will both help to prevent the sexual abuse of children and for those who are abused, will help reduce the trauma of the criminal trial.
The Sexual Offences Act makes these several new important changes:
- There will be new constraints on the possibility that the survivor could be cross-examined by the accused person.
- And for the first time, if the survivor has been in counselling, their counselling notes cannot be automatically obtained by the accused person and his defence team.
- The presiding judge will have no powers to decide if the notes should be produced, and which sections of the notes should be allowed.
- The right to privacy of the survivor and the public interest in encouraging survivors to receive psychological support without the fear of their counselling notes being read by their abuser have been strengthened.
Updates
March 29, 2017
I am honestly a bit overwhelmed by the groundswell of support for this cause. This momentum belongs entirely to you because you were the ones who took the time to speak up for those who need it most.
Reached 100 supporters
March 29, 2017
40 Comments
Wonderful, sensible, humane legislation. This will greatly help healing and reduce the outrageous revictimisation of survivors which has been indulged by our current legal system for decades. Jim Lyng, Senior Counselling Psychologist and Adjunct Assistanf Professor
Well done for ending this appalling situation. Small wonder that only a tiny fraction of rape/sexual abuse survivors report the crimes perpetrated against them. Let's hope this will make a difference.
Delighted to see these changes. As a child sex abuse survivor it felt like I was being abused all over again when my counsellor had to disclose my private notes. Thank you Minister Fitzgerald.
I welcome this bill .. It's a disgrace that my abusers have access to my councilling notes . It's the one place that I felt able to completely open up and was unaware that they could have access to my notes . I was horrified when this happened and in return I stopped going for councilling .
Our heartfelt thanks to Minister Fitzgerald for being a champion on this significant issue that will contribute hugely to ending violence against women. We are proud that Ireland has passed this landmark legislation.
Thank you One in Four Thank you Frances Fitzgerald
Frances Fitzgerald really prioritised this Act which will improve the experience of sexual abuse survivors in the criminal courts. A big thank you!!
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Tánasite Frances Fitzgerald's work on the new Sexual Offences Bill helps vulnerable people. Thank her!!
Please join One in Four in thanking Frances Fitzgerald, Tánasite, Minister for Justice and Equality, for all her vital work on the Sexual Offences Act by signing this petition.
The Act had provoked strong opposition from some of our male politicians because one of its effects is to criminalise the purchase of sex for the first time. It will both help to prevent the sexual abuse of children and for those who are abused, will help reduce the trauma of the criminal trial.
The Sexual Offences Act makes these several new important changes:
- There will be new constraints on the possibility that the survivor could be cross-examined by the accused person.
- And for the first time, if the survivor has been in counselling, their counselling notes cannot be automatically obtained by the accused person and his defence team.
- The presiding judge will have no powers to decide if the notes should be produced, and which sections of the notes should be allowed.
- The right to privacy of the survivor and the public interest in encouraging survivors to receive psychological support without the fear of their counselling notes being read by their abuser have been strengthened.
Updates
March 29, 2017
I am honestly a bit overwhelmed by the groundswell of support for this cause. This momentum belongs entirely to you because you were the ones who took the time to speak up for those who need it most.
Reached 100 supporters
March 29, 2017
40 Comments
At last some protection for the survivors!!! Now maybe survivors will seek the help they need & not try tosurvive on their own!!! Thank you
Wonderful, sensible, humane legislation. This will greatly help healing and reduce the outrageous revictimisation of survivors which has been indulged by our current legal system for decades. Jim Lyng, Senior Counselling Psychologist and Adjunct Assistanf Professor
Well done for ending this appalling situation. Small wonder that only a tiny fraction of rape/sexual abuse survivors report the crimes perpetrated against them. Let's hope this will make a difference.
Delighted to see these changes. As a child sex abuse survivor it felt like I was being abused all over again when my counsellor had to disclose my private notes. Thank you Minister Fitzgerald.
I welcome this bill .. It's a disgrace that my abusers have access to my councilling notes . It's the one place that I felt able to completely open up and was unaware that they could have access to my notes . I was horrified when this happened and in return I stopped going for councilling .
Our heartfelt thanks to Minister Fitzgerald for being a champion on this significant issue that will contribute hugely to ending violence against women. We are proud that Ireland has passed this landmark legislation.
Thank you One in Four Thank you Frances Fitzgerald
Frances Fitzgerald really prioritised this Act which will improve the experience of sexual abuse survivors in the criminal courts. A big thank you!!
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At last some protection for the survivors!!! Now maybe survivors will seek the help they need & not try tosurvive on their own!!! Thank you